Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Barn House - 2009 Flea Market (Part 2)

Whew, we have finally made it out of The BH Flea Market Rehab!! And I have to honestly say that THIS show out of ANY of our shows just about killed us! I was operating on 3-4 hours of sleep per night for over a week, it was over 90 degrees every day, it was our biggest show to date, The BH Layering Effect was in FULL force, we were a "wee bit" behind schedule, almost ALL of our friends were coming over to camp, party, shop, etc...and the list goes on and on. Anyone with an analytical/logistical mindset might just ask why on Earth would they attempt to tackle SO MUCH all at once -- Are they crazy???So, yes we are a little crazy. BUT, it's important to understand why we attempt to do certain things. You see, our cup overflows with inspiration and generosity from the people we call The Barn House Family and The Barn House Angels. SO, on occasion, we TRY to give a little tiny bit back and go the extra mile to do something a little special for the people who have been so kind to us.Some of our most favorite people in the world are going to be in Spokane for The Farm Chicks show??? Let's throw a kick a$$ party to show our appreciation for the inspiration they have provided and their endless generosity! Goodness! They are ALL coming to our house to bust their butts and make The BH Flea Market something incredibly over-the-top??? LET'S THROW A LITTLE PRE-PARTY...THEN AN AFTER-PARTY...THEN, THEN, THEN! Well, I was talking to a friend from LA who just doesn't get WHY we would push ourselves to the limits like this. BUT IF you are fortunate to know any of these folks personally, you would toooootally get it. Many traveled hundreds (and hundreds) of miles to be a part of this experience. They saved their treasures just for our show...worked really hard...and most importantly, shined their gifts and light and love on us! We LOVE them and appreciate them more than I could possibly describe with words. The "problem" is...the more we try to "pay them back" or "pay them forward," they trump us with what they insist on bringing to the table!

For example, we extended an invitation to our friends selling with us to camp out on our property or stay here in the house during their visit. We thought it would be "cute" to have a little friendly competition for a tent decorating contest for those camping. THEN a "stunt" like this happens -- presented by the ever-so-talented Deb and Bob (DeBob) from Retreat...It almost brought tears to my eyes...it was absolutely beautiful, But this is the thing -- THEY cooked US a delicious gourmet dinner at THEIR Estate (aka Taj MahTent) at OUR place! Now, I am sure this had nothing to do with the fact that we looked haggard, hungry and maybe appeared to need a place away from all the madness to relax a bit...but just had everything to do with what was in their hearts.Needless to say -- They won the competition hands down! We had been trumped with their generosity, focus, dedication and hard work! Welcome to The BH Family, our new friends! :o) The entire week and weekend seemed to be about who could trump the next with kindness......trump the next with beautiful displays...with funny stories that made the person next to them almost pee in their pants......with laughing the loudest... and with smiling more than the next person. AND there were The BH Crying Spells between true friends who felt something special in their hearts at various moments of the weekend. Now, usually it's me and Cindy and a couple of others...BUT, we had some newbies in "The BH Cry Baby Chair" this time (I won't call out any names)!!! IF you were here and were able to spend a few moments with The BH Family, you most likely witnessed something really special. OH...and if you were here long enough you may have also witnessed a glitch that happened in my head from running in circles in the sun like a lunatic all day. At some point, I walked by the Tarte booth where several folks were congregating and enjoying the shade. Cindy gave me a look and said (very seriously), "Honey, you don't look so well...maybe you should sit down for a spell and have some water." She was right (and Cindy knows me very well). By the end of the day I looked a HOT DISHEVELED MESS on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I had been stung by a bee before the show and my normally very attractive skinny ankle was swollen to the size of a tree trunk, I couldn't stop sweating, I probably smelled worse than I looked (hard to imagine), AND I had an After Party to think about!!

BUT, in true BH fashion, one Hot Disheveled Mess don't stop a BH Party!! It was certainly nothing an ice pack on a fat ankle, an ice cold shower AND an ice cold beer couldn't/wouldn't fix. See, we here at Barn House think about solutions and keep on steppin' -- HEE HAW!!! ;o)

J & JThe Boys of Barn House

P.S. - Our next show here at BH is very special -- Ma & Pa Willow (www.willownest.net) have already left Texas and will be bringing their finest treasures from their travels around the country!! If you follow the blogs on the Texas Shows, you know this is going to be some SERIOUS stuff!!! More to come on this special event here at Barn House!!!!

41 comments:

I am flat worn out from trying to follow you around...how in the world did that bee catch you to sting you?All the photos I have seen are amazing including yours. You really are blessed to be surrounded by talented people and double blessed to count them as friends.I would so live in the Taj Majal!Y'all are well on your way of becoming the next big destination (wish I could get up there! guess I should have hid in L&L's traier!)Go big or go home, I always say!Debbie

I don't know anyone who throws a big ol' bash like the two of you! What an amazing time it was~Joe needs to connect to the future and get online - but alas, since he hasn't, he will just have to take my call today... :)xo

That was an AMAZING event--better than ever!! You all went through fire(or so it felt!) to bring the very best to your customers and friends. Thank you for such a grand experience, although too fleeting in time . . . .

One of my favorite parts of the show was right before when a not as huggy as you, Joe, went around and hugged all the vendors and wished us a good show. Thanks so much Joe, that meant a lot. Hope you enjoy your birthday. And Jermonne, even though you had a million balls in the air at once, you handled it all with such grace and you always had a smile on your face. Thanks to you both for making us feel special. I am honored to have been a small part of this amazing event.

We consider ourselves the lucky ones...to be asked to be a part of Barn House...our 1st show, (in Barn Land) and we had the best time...meeting so many new friends.J&J are full of Magical Creative Inspiration...thanks for sharing it with us & everyone else!! We love, love, love you both!!!!

I'm not sure if you can fully grasp how many fans of yours all over the country would LOVE to have something pulled together like this in their neck-a-the-woods. Speaking for Ohio, I've never seen anything close to comparison around! You boys are AMAZING and so are ALL your fab vendors/friends! Brilliant job once again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!!! I have change for you from the screens. The iced coffee was wonderful and a kindness to be cherished. Have a Burdock stir-fry recipe for you and am scouting a burdock compost tea recipe. Hope the bee-sting is healing baking soda paste reduces swelling. Deep Gratitude for the WONDER of you both. Birthday Blessings! Erin

Happy Birthday Joe and you are making me want to cry! Bo Ho, because I so want to be there. And...I know all ya'll do not think mean thoughts about mother Willow, but guess what she did. She calls me on the road to rub in the fact that's she already headed that way, not really, she didn't do that but if she did she did it in the most kindest way that only she would with a smile of course and glitter on her teeth. Just kidding Linda if you are reading this, I'm just trying to cheer them up after the ordel with all the crying and the bee sting and all. I've been there too my friend and believe me it wasn't a pretty site me running around the yard screaming so loud I'm sure my neighbor's thought my husband was trying to kill me :) Have fun, I know ya'll will and can't wait for the next post on the awesome time everyone had.

i am soooo relieved to see you have emerged from your coma. and who wouldn't have needed a little R&R after the week y'all had?! tears of joy, tears of exhaustion, tears of gratitude, tears of love. such a wonderful experience to be a part of the extended, extended BH family. how lucky am i?! very lucky, very happy and very appreciative of who you each are.love to you both!

Happy Birthday, Joe! Sending you a great big cyber hug (and I agree with Lisa about your pre-show hugs to all of us vendors - it made all the difference!)

We can't say enough kind things about you Boys, and everything you do to make your shows such a huge success for everyone involved. We know you work hard, and we all love you for it! Doing something simple like supporting your craziness whole-heartedly and inviting you up to our tent for dinner is SOOOOOOOO not even close to expressing our gratitude for all you do for us and others, and for the invitation to become part of the 'family'. we'll never be able to thank you enough.

And you really DO need to take care of yourselves in the midst of the mayhem, you know.... taking a little time out away from your guests is allowed!! ;0)

Its always hard to put into words what really happens out there in BG. Just like many others I just feel so fortunate and grateful to be a small part of something so huge and so truly rare. Thank you J&J for the invite and for being fabulous hosts!!!! OH, and happy birthday Joe my friend! Oh, and thank goodness for rehab!!!!

Happy ##rd Birthday to Joe! : ) The show looks wonderful as it always does. I am determined to make it to one again, looks like it will have to be September. On August 15th I will be flying home after watching my baby graduate from Army Basic Training, and he will get to come home with us for a couple weeks. Hope you are staying cool in this awful heat.Kathy

From the bottom of my heart, I truly thank you for letting me share in this amazing experience with you. You and Joe are the most gracious of hosts, and I loved spending time with you and every one else. You worked so hard, and all of your efforts did not go unoticed. Much love to you and Joe, please have a great birthday!xoxo, Tiffany

It all seems so amazing...I will definitely make it to one of your shows next year, have too:) How nice that you guys work so hard and do such an amazing job, but all you do is point out the good about everyone else...pretty cool!

I so wish I were not all the way over here on the other side of the country(Georgia)! I would love to be at one of your shows and see y'all in action. I love reading abt. this last one and seeing all of the wonderful pics!

I am so happy that you boys had a wonderful show!! I so wish I could have been there ~ I was close by (cannon beach), but the ocean waves wouldn't let me leave them, so hopefully I can make your next big bash. :) Happy (late) Birthday Joe!

Why oh why do I live on the other side of the globe?! Ok, so it's not really the other side but the chances to see your fabulous show are slim to none I'm afraid. I would have my eyes popping out every couple of minutes walking around the Barn House. Mmm it's a good thing France is only a 3 hour drive for us because looking green from envy is not my most flattering look....

Really looking forward to next show with Willow Nest (love them)!!Missed the flea market as it was the same day as the opening of our new store Vintage Station in Gresham. So, can hardly wait for your show Saturday!! Sonya

Wow how cool. I love to visit you. BTW can I borrow the white tent photo. I would love to do something like that and I would love to post the inspiration. Thanks for sharing your wonderful journeys. Blessings,Sherry